The Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) held its commencement ceremony for the Orlando Campus on Tuesday, July 9, 2026, celebrating a new cohort of professionals in engineering, business administration and technology. The event, held at the campus located at 550 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, marks a milestone in the institution's 60th anniversary and underscores its strategy to bridge academia with industry in Central Florida.
The graduating class exemplifies PUPR's deliberate growth strategy: preparing innovative, competitive engineers and business professionals ready to lead in an environment driven by technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. These graduates are poised to strengthen the competitiveness of companies and contribute to the economic development of both Florida and Puerto Rico.
In alignment with Goal #4 of the University's 2022-2027 Strategic Plan—focused on expansion, positioning and strategic alliances—the Orlando Campus has identified key market priorities through meetings with the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce and chambers of commerce. These priorities include specialized continuing education, STEM talent development, advanced entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, aerospace industry, construction management and talent recruitment.
Ernesto Vázquez Martínez, President of PUPR, stated: “At the Polytechnic University, academia connects with industry to turn knowledge into opportunities. On our 60th Anniversary, the Orlando Campus demonstrates that our educational model transcends borders and prepares leaders ready to compete, drive digital transformation and move the economy of the future.”
The campus has recently formalized five strategic memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with organizations including the Hispanic Metro Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Puerto Rico College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (Florida Chapter), the Office of Senator Rick Scott, the Central Florida Contractors Association, and SVG Institute. These alliances create pathways for continuing education, internships, employment opportunities in collaboration with BMA Group, and joint development of solutions for industry and government.
Dr. Lilliam Román, Director of the Orlando Campus, noted: “Each alliance we sign in Central Florida opens a concrete connection for our students and graduates. Our objective is to consolidate the Orlando Campus as a benchmark for STEM and business education, with real opportunities for employment, internships, applied innovation and professional development for the community.”
The graduation comes just one year after the inauguration of the Aerospace Engineering Laboratory at the Orlando Campus, a $2.9 million state-of-the-art facility featuring a jet engine for testing, an autonomous vehicle research laboratory, supersonic and subsonic wind tunnels, advanced flight simulators, 3D printers for aerospace prototypes, and aeronautical modeling software. This laboratory positions Orlando as a key node for Florida's aerospace industry, a strategic priority identified by PUPR.
According to institutional data, 74% of undergraduate alumni and 79% of graduate alumni are already employed, with 86% working full time, 72% earning salaries above $45,000 annually, and 71% working in the U.S. private sector. These results underscore the value proposition of PUPR's educational model.
The Orlando Campus offers a flexible and innovative model, with programs in engineering and business administration, including the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management (BSOM). This offering is built on the concept "Engineering + Entrepreneurship = Venture Creation," combining academic rigor, applied technology, and training aligned with the competencies demanded by Central Florida's fastest-growing industries. The campus leverages its bilingual profile and academic flexibility, offering in-person, hybrid, and 100% online modalities with a trimester calendar, allowing active professionals to continue developing without disconnecting from the labor market.
PUPR's main campus in San Juan holds a 4-star rating in the international QS Stars system and is designated as a National Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As the institution commemorates its 60th anniversary, it transitions toward becoming the University of the New Century: a scalable educational platform in Puerto Rico and Florida where academia connects with industry, knowledge is transformed into opportunities, and leaders are prepared to drive the economy of the future.
